We did it: Our First Ever Event!
Captured by Studio Medusa Photos
We are unbelievably overcome with emotion to have successfully completed our first year of The PDSM Competition.
We made history on 21st January 2023.
What stands out more than anything is the sense of community. Not just the pole world as an entity and the sex work world as a separate one, but a beautiful amalgamation of the two. The truest sense of unity and a blend of both these communities could be felt in abundance. PDSM is a space where sex worker rights and lives are put to the forefront. It was amazing to see the respect and support from pole folks and to see sex workers bask in this glow of an outpouring of love and respect. It's generally a feeling I've never experienced to this level at pole competitions or events. This is what it means to be sex worker-centric. I hope those who didn't necessarily know what was missing before or understood the frustration get it now. I hope you all see how active allyship should take form and how it should feel.
PDSM was created out of a place of anger, frustration, desperation and suffocation. I feel like there is more room for us to breathe now. Similar spaces are here and emerging, but we need more. The rage is still there, but it's not against the pole industry, it's coming from a united perspective of wanting better for sex workers in the world. I felt a shared pain amongst allies as @unitedswers spoke our truth on stage. Sex workers at our event felt listened to and felt seen deeply rather than just a surface level of performative celebration towards a fraction of the sex work community.
All that hate inside of me has been transformed into something beautiful. The negative emotions drive me to build towards a greater good. This is what we have to do when we feel there isn't space for us. I hope you feel motivated and inspired to BE the change in the world that you seek. We all have the power within us to fight for what's right and uplift each other. Find the strength in others and in yourself.
As I said closing the show: "This is just the start. There is so much more to come"
The future is SWer!
Our Achievements 2023
We sold out of spectator tickets for the live final within 7 hours of release.
We successfully created an intelligent, fair and transparent competition system.
We succesfully organised our first ever event!
100% of our paid team members were SWers or immediate family of SWers.
Every low-income SWer applicant had their entry subsidised, thanks to contibuters to our SWer Champion Scheme.
We increased our grant amount to a low-income SWer finalist from £50 to £70.
We raised £800 for United S*x Workers, giving power to fight further for SWer rights.
We covered most of the local dancer's house fees for the night after our event, distributing nearly £500, so they didn't have to pay to work.
As well as amazing physical prizes for our winners, 1st place received £100 & 2nd place received £50 cash prize, thanks to our generous sponsors.
Our biggest achievement: Realising the first ever SWer-centric Pole Competition!
Thank yous
We would like to take some time to thank every single person who believed in PDSM and has supported along the way.
All of our volunteers at the live show, the biggest thanks- the competition wouldn't be able to run without you.
All of our sponsors for taking a chance on us. Because of you, we managed to achieve and exceed all of our goals. We are able to offer prize money as well as amazing goodie bags. We also managed to allow every low-income SWer to enter, as well as paying many of the dancer's house fees for working tonight. Thank you for this amazing help and paying back into the SWer community. Thank you: Hypnotic Erotic Camp UK, Scarlet Temple, KEP Photography, CEPAC, Masterpiece Education & Training, We Are Breathe, KLR Collection, HLDesigns, Purple Sky, Aerialism, Crafted by Ciara, AYA Pole, The Money Hunny, Pole Nook and Hoodlum Fang
Our finalists and guest performers for putting their blood, sweat, tears and other juices (hehe) into working for this first show.
In person and online spectators, thank you for bringing the vibe and energy.
All of our team, including our photographer, videographer, DJ and compere. None of this would have been possible wihout the knowledge and support of our judging team.
Andi, Leila, Precious and Sabrina (my judging team), thank you for your invaluable input into the PDSM Competition and for listening to my rants when I've been stressed!
All my loved ones who have also been there for me.
Every competitor who entered. You are all stars and I thank you for believing in what PDSM stands for. We would liek to list everybody who entered the competition as a way to pay tribute:
Alliecat, Sedusa Swan, Miss Danger, Monica Kristen, King Lindarr, Oun, Honey D, Kat Kelly, Lady Jane, F L Mads, Minxy Maenad, Karamel aura, Primal, Luna, Undercover scrubber, Saintly, Maddi Rose, Audrey, Sasha Diamond, Scarlet Raven, Amy, Becky B, Mao Xue, Emma, Emma, Staffie Volt, Katie Gallacher, Emma Nicholson, Luna luck, Psy Preen, Amy May, Becky, Filito, Nyavka, Nikki, Gemma steel, Aoife, Feithid, Sophie Louise, Holly, May Pole, Electra, La Luna Doll, Jessica Risqué, Lydia, Nadine Bridgit, Hannah Leigh, Alexir, Sirena, Mia Shanti, Dayna, Jade Ren'ee, Jodi Louise, Becky, Jesse Blue, Lavinia, Lauren, Pole Bat, Dolly, Bombshell Ghuleh, Luna Minxx, Lola cat, Tee Cakes, Holly hotlips, Bonnie BanXX, Pancake, TheSoulKitty, Pretty Quasar, Destiny Black, CocoGymnaasty, Kat Kelly, Patricia The Tease, JustWowJenna, Tessa Emerald, Wanda Vull, Luna, Billie Velvet, Claire Says Yeah, Julie cooper, Sparkling Spitfire, Mia Mae Play, Rubie Foxx, Hadria Hellbound, Miss G, Neyta, Tiny G, Rexi Couture, Bethan Georgia, Autumn Flame, Pindlemouse, Honey, Miss Lamu', Little Gem, Rachel marsden, Rosa, Sirin Ictus, Scarlet O'harlot, Lux, Lady Rob.
Thank you for your love and faith.